6 Things To Consider Before Having Plastic Surgery

Are you preparing yourself for a plastic surgery procedure? Do you have fear and concerns over the procedure? Then this article is for you. Here, we will look at some basic things to consider before having plastic surgery.

Plastic surgeries are either recommended by doctors or can be even initiated by an individual if they have to make some cosmetic or corrective alterations to their body. It has its set of benefits and disadvantages.

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pros and cons of plastic surgery

Cosmetic surgery, which is a sub-branch of Plastic surgery, has become so common that right from famous celebrities to social media influencers, everyone is exploring the options to alter their body features to look un/conventionally attractive.

Today social media is rampant with individuals who have done some kind of body alterations through plastic surgeries and this has become more of a cosmetic choice rather than a medical necessity.

On the other hand, an increase in demand will also lead to the rise of fake or unqualified practitioners who would offer precarious surgical methods at cheaper prices. This would gradually cause serious and long-term health issues for the individual with some cases having low chances of a reverse procedure to set things right.

6 Things to consider before having plastic surgery

So here are six things to consider before having plastic surgery.

Why? – This is the first and foremost question you should ask yourself once surgery has been recommended. Ask yourself why you want to do this and what benefits you will be getting out of this. Do the benefits outweigh the risks involved? If you can find a satisfactory answer to these questions, then you can go to the next step.
Money matters!- Ask the surgeon or the medical facility about the approximate expense for the procedure. Plastic surgeries are known to be expensive procedures that cost a fortune. So make sure you choose the right procedure that suits your needs. Please mind that choosing a good plan doesn’t mean that you should settle for a cheap facility with unsafe conditions.
Know your health status– Before going ahead with plastic surgery or any form of surgery, it is important to get an idea about your overall health. Consult with your physician to do the necessary medical checkup and to evaluate if you are physically fit to go through a surgical procedure.
Do a proper study about the medical facility– Whenever you or any of your family members get admitted to a hospital for surgery. Always make sure you do a background check on the medical hospital and its reviews. It should have all up-to-date licenses and should be equipped with all the necessary modern equipment.
Investigate your surgeon– Don’t take it in the wrong sense, but it is always better to be safe than to be sorry. So do a proper background check on the surgeon who will be carrying out the surgery. See if his/her credentials are valid and if the person is approachable for sharing your concerns.
Know the A-Z of your surgery procedure– Clarify all the necessary details of our plastic surgery procedure with your surgeon as this will help you be prepared mentally and physically. Also, evaluate the possible risks and side effects of the procedure with your surgeon to make an informed decision.

How risky is facial plastic surgery?

Always make sure that the surgeon or health expert communicates the possible risks involved in the surgery. This will help you to a large extent to make a clear-cut decision on whether to go ahead or opt out of the surgery or if there are other alternative options.

Another important aspect when you are considering getting plastic surgery is to get a second opinion. Get the opinion of another certified surgeon on the matter and if they also reaffirm the need for surgery, then it will make you confident regarding the procedure.

How long does Plastic Surgery last?

Like every other medical procedure, the duration of plastic surgery depends upon various factors ranging from the type of surgery to the risks involved. Typically plastic surgery is known to last anywhere between one to six hours.

What should you avoid before Plastic Surgery?

Surgeries are complex procedures that require strict discipline from both the doctor’s side and the patient’s side. Among the things to consider before having plastic surgery, are the 4 things that should be avoided before your surgery.

1. Don’t Smoke

Smoking, as always, is harmful to you and others around you. It is a known fact that Nicotine, the active content in cigarettes restricts blood flow and oxygen. So it is advisable to stop smoking before any plastic surgery and even after that.

2. Don’t consume alcohol

Medical experts advise stopping drinking alcohol at least two weeks before the surgery to prevent any sort of complications. Although it is not as problematic as nicotine, alcohol can delay the healing process after surgery. So it is best to stay away from it until you recover completely.

3. Decrease your coffee intake

This is bad news for all the coffee addicts out there but caffeine, the major content in coffee, is known for increasing the heartbeat and blood pressure of an individual. So, it’s best to avoid coffee or any caffeinated drinks at least two weeks before the surgery so that you can clear it out of your system.

4. Stop Supplement intake

All of us might be taking one or more supplements daily for giving ourselves the necessary nutrients but sometimes this can work against us. Especially when we are preparing for any kind of surgery. Certain supplements can interact with the medications for surgery and can cause complications.

So, these are some of the things to consider before having plastic surgery. In today’s world, plastic or cosmetic surgeries are so common and in demand that the industry around it has become highly saturated with money and influence.

As the main recipient group for these kinds of surgeries is from the elite class, they have created an exclusive culture around this field. This often makes it difficult for normal people to access and choose procedures that they think might benefit them in their life. Some people also go to great lengths risking their financial status to complete these procedures.

Together with the physical and mental aspects of plastic surgery, there is a cultural aspect too that needs to be discussed and debated in the modern world where bodily ‘enhancements’ are becoming more common on the one hand and individual insecurities are thriving on the other.

Listen to the experience of others- When preparing for plastic surgery, it is advisable to listen to the experiences of others who have gone through similar surgeries.

This person can be your family, friend, or even an acquaintance from social media. Listen to what they have to share with you as this would be helpful in reducing the stress associated with these surgeries.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do I need to look for alternatives other than the surgery that was recommended to me?

Confirm with your surgeon if there are some alternative options other than the surgery recommended for you. Surgeries can be non-invasive and invasive and carry a probable risk factor. But it’s always good to have options so that you can choose the one you are most comfortable with.

2. Are anesthetists an important factor in surgery?

Always check with your surgeon if they are employing the service of a certified anesthetist.
This is one of the most important aspects of surgery as local anesthesia or general anesthesia needs to be done under extreme care and supervision.

3. Other than the details of the surgery what else should I ask my surgeon?

Before agreeing to the procedure, ask the surgeon about the minimum recovery period of the procedure and if you will be able to get back to your job without much hassle. This is important as certain procedures take more time to heal if they are invasive surgeries.

4. What are the three medications you should avoid before surgery?

Medications like Aspirin, Ibuprofen, and Vitamin E supplements should be stopped two weeks before the date of surgery. These three medications are known to prevent blood clots that may lead to profuse bleeding during the surgery.

5. What is the ideal diet before and after plastic surgery?

Before surgery, you should try to have foods that are rich in antioxidants as this can kickstart the healing process in your body. Also, supplement your diet with a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Drink lots of water too. After the surgery, include foods that are high in monounsaturated fats as these anti-inflammatory foods aid in healing and prevent infections. Also, try to have easily digestible, bland, and tender foods during the 72 hours after the surgery.